NFL: 3 Reasons Not To Overlook the San Diego Chargers

The San Diego Chargers, fresh off a bye week, will head to New York to take on the Jets in Week 7. Usually, a team coming off a bye tends to be better than before.

In San Diego, the beginning of the season has always, and I mean always, been the hardest part. The Chargers have continually had slow starts during the Norv Turner era.

But, this year has already been different. Philip Rivers has led the Chargers to a 4-1 record despite their poor performances.

San Diego's four wins came over the Vikings, Chiefs, Dolphins and Broncos. All of those teams have losing records.

The wins weren't impressive, but it doesn't matter. Like Philip Rivers keeps saying, "A win's a win; that's all that matters."

After a week off, the Chargers should click even more in the upcoming games. San Diego needs to fix certain areas, and once they do, they will be a dominant force in the AFC.

Here are three reasons why people shouldn't overlook the San Diego Chargers.

3. Red Zone Offense Will Be Improved

Nick Novak, the guy who is replacing Nate Kaeding as the Chargers' kicker this season, had five field goals last game. This is because of San Diego's inability to score touchdowns in the red zone or in opponents' territory.

Every San Diego fan will agree that during their bye week, the Chargers better have focused on this area.

The Chargers are one of the worst teams inside the 20-yard line, and with Antonio Gates sidelined with an injury, it makes it even harder for Philip Rivers to move the ball. He is arguably the No. 1 end zone target in all of football when healthy.

So, what do you do when the passing game isn't working? You run the football.

The question in San Diego is, with who? Do you give the ball to Ryan Mathews or Mike Tolbert?

Mike Tolbert is a lot bigger than Mathews, so using him on the goal line makes sense. What doesn't make sense is the fact that Tolbert is jumping over the offensive line to score.

Yes, he did score, but Ryan Mathews could've done the same thing. Given the opportunities, Mathews has been very productive. He already has over 400 yards through five games. If he keeps it up, he could finish the season with over 1,200 yards.

So, what's wrong?

Is it Philip Rivers' inability to get the ball in the end zone, the different use of running backs or is it the offensive line not giving Rivers enough time to make smart decisions?

Voice your opinions with comments.

Prediction: Norv Turner will start to use Ryan Mathews more in the red zone for his speed, but he will stick to Tolbert at the goal line.

Antonio Gates will do all he can do, but he won't be as effective as usual. On the other hand, Vincent Jackson and Malcolm Floyd will get back to 100 percent and add to the air game.

The Chargers will score less field goals and more touchdowns.

2. San Diego Will Be Healthy...Sort of

The Chargers have been plagued with injuries for the last couple of years now. They have already lost Luis Castillo, Bob Sanders, Jonas Mouton and Stephen Cooper for the entire season.

Antonio Gates still hasn't recovered from his plantar fasciitis, which occurred last season. Vincent Jackson, Ryan Mathews, Mike Tolbert and Malcolm Floyd are notable players who have been playing under 100 percent.

The bye week couldn't have came at a better time for San Diego. Being healthy is always an improvement, and for the Chargers, it could make all the difference.

Prediction: Ryan Mathews and Vincent Jackson will get to 100 percent within the next two weeks. Antonio Gates, as I mentioned in the last slide, will play with the injury and be less effective than usual. But hey, any Gates is better than no Gates.

1. Philip Rivers Will Be Smarter

Six touchdowns, seven interceptions and a passer rating of 87.6.

Those must be Tarvaris Jackson's stats, right?

Nope, those numbers belong to QB Philip Rivers.

I'm absolutely positive that nobody would have predicted him to play this poorly through five games this season, especially given the teams that they have played. Nonetheless, Rivers is still the leader in San Diego and is probably the main reason for the Chargers' 4-1 record.

Philip Rivers can go nowhere but up at this point.

His line isn't protecting him the way he would like, but he can't put all the blame on them. He has made costly mistakes that he would admit.

But, Philip Rivers does not play for stats. He plays to win the game. He still knows he needs to work on things, which he has and will continue to do.

Prediction: Rivers will get smarter and will get back to playing the way he did last season. His passes will be crisper and on the money, instead of behind his receivers or overthrown. With his receivers getting healthy again, it will add to his success.

Rivers will have a tough task this week. He will be facing the New York Jets, a team he has never beaten. Darrelle Revis plans to put Rivers on Revis Island, but what he doesn't know is that rivers go through islands.

Philip will be playing with a chip on his shoulder, so watch out for him to make some noise.